Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington
In Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (PA), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $31.58 an hour ($65,680 a year). About 5,700 people work in this job there.
That is 5% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is 3% higher than the Pennsylvania median ($63,860).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (PA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.89 | $43,440 |
| 25% of workers | $26.84 | $55,830 |
| Half of workers (median) | $31.58 | $65,680 |
| 75% of workers | $42.38 | $88,140 |
| 90% of workers | $50.03 | $104,060 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Pennsylvania metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | $66,980 | 210 |
| Pittsburgh | $66,320 | 1,340 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (this page) | $65,680 | 5,700 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $63,220 | 570 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $60,750 | 450 |
| Chambersburg | $59,950 | 50 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $59,690 | 400 |
| State College | $58,560 | 120 |
| Lancaster | $58,040 | 280 |
| York-Hanover | $56,860 | 160 |
| Johnstown | $56,440 | 70 |
| Lebanon | $52,870 | 70 |
| Gettysburg | $52,000 | 50 |
| Erie | $51,340 | 150 |
| Altoona | $49,040 | 60 |
| Williamsport | $47,840 | 80 |
Pennsylvania unemployment rate: 3.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington (PA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $36,570 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,270 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $46,580 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,870 |
| Food Service Managers | $75,070 |
| Bakers | $37,770 |
| Food Batchmakers | $37,010 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $31,360 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.